Distribution of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers in the salamander taste organs.
Salamander taste organs were recognized as oval cell clusters within the dorsal surface of the tongue. A moderate number of SP, CGRP, VIP, NPY, and GAL immunoreactive nerve fibers terminated in the cell clusters, and some of them penetrated into the basal half of the cell clusters. Around the glands, VIP, NPY, and GAL fibers were numerous, and SP and CGRP fibers were less numerous. Immunoreactivity of SOM and FMRF was not detected either in the nerve fibers associated with the cell clusters or those around the glands. These findings suggest that the chemosensory mechanisms of the salamander gustatory organs are under the control of peptidergic innervation. In addition, the present study indicates that the caudate taste organs are structurally primitive but functionally mature.
Kawakami
T
T
Department of Physiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan.
Kusakabe
T
T
Matsuda
H
H
Hiruma
H
H
Gono
Y
Y
Kurihara
K
K
Takenaka
T
T
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000032:analysis; D019835:FMRFamide / Q000032:analysis; D019004:Galanin / Q000032:analysis; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000032:analysis; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014562:Caudata; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D019835:FMRFamide; D019004:Galanin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide